Dateline: Monday, Jan 30, 2017
Place: Old Chicago restaurant, St Cloud
Purpose: CMLE members gathering for food, fun, and library talk
Verdict: Complete success!!
Yes indeed, we had a good time at the first in a series of CMLE gatherings! One of the most frequent member requests is for more opportunities to gather together informally, to share ideas, ask questions, and just have time to talk together. And this happy group was the result!
As always, CMLE works to keep you informed on news around the profession. In this case, we are sharing the official American Libraries Association (ALA) stand on recent actions taken by the new administration because we want you to know what is happening, and to give you some ideas and details from your professional body. CMLE is not a political organization, but we support the values of the profession, including a free flow of information; and we always support the best libraries and the best service to our communities!
There are links you can use here to build your own advocacy skills, and of course we are always happy to help you in advocating for your library and for your community!!Talk to your legislators, and other stakeholders, to be sure your own voice is heard!
If it has been a while since you read through our professional Code of Ethics, this is a good time to do so. (We have the entire thing after the page break, for your convenience!)
The work libraries do to support their communities is important; keep reminding everyone of the value we bring! Continue reading ALA opposes new administration policies that contradict core values
As you know, many library people tend to be book fans. And book fans tend to like book-related accessories. You can find all kinds of things to go along with the books you love:
All of that is usual, and you have probably seen similar items already.
But, have you seen literary toothpaste??
It was a first for me! I saw this on Twitter, and issued a challenge there: I will buy a tube of either flavor for a CMLE member, and in return you will blog about the experience for us!
Does your library have teens as volunteers?
Are you struggling to find tasks for them?
Are you thinking about teens, and making some work plans?
You are not alone!
These are ideas you might consider for giving your teen volunteers (or other volunteers!) some tasks in your library. These are all currently being used by libraries around the country, so should be helpful in your library.
Do you have other suggestions? Share them in the comments! We could all use ideas for making a volunteer experience valuable for the teens and for the library!
Continue reading Teen Volunteers in the library? Keep them busy!
If you are in a public school library, you may have already heard of Donors Choose. It can be a great way to bring materials not otherwise in the budget, or to pay for a special program or set of materials for your students!
“We were started by a history teacher. In 2000, Charles Best, a teacher at a Bronx public high school, wanted his students to read Little House on the Prairie. As he was making photocopies of the one book he could procure, Charles thought about all the money he and his colleagues were spending on books, art supplies, and other materials. And he figured there were people out there who’d want to help — if they could see where their money was going. Charles sketched out a website where teachers could post classroom project requests, and donors could choose the ones they wanted to support. His colleagues posted the first 11 requests. Then it spread. Today, we’re open to every public school in America. Continue reading Could your school library use some money? Try Donors Choose!